A hailstorm a week before harvest. Unseasonal rain on a cut crop. A dry spell that kills the seedlings. Every farmer knows that one bad week can wipe out a whole season. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is meant for exactly that week. You pay a small premium, and if the crop is lost, the insurance company pays.
But many farmers never claim, or claim too late. In this guide we show the real numbers (premium vs cover), the Rabi 2026-27 enrolment rules, how to apply, the 72-hour rule for reporting a loss, and how to check your claim.
Written by: Prabhash, content creator and web developer, sahiyojana.com
Last updated: 4 November 2026
Checked against: PIB note on PMFBY (29 August 2026), the official PMFBY portal (pmfby.gov.in), and state notifications for Rabi 2026-27
PM Fasal Bima Yojana at a Glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Run by | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, with states and insurance companies |
| Started | 2016 |
| Farmer premium | 2% Kharif, 1.5% Rabi (foodgrains and oilseeds), 5% commercial and horticulture crops |
| Rest of the premium | Paid by the Centre and state (50:50, or 90:10 in North-East and Himalayan states) |
| Kharif 2026 enrolment | 241.38 lakh farmers (as on 27 August 2026) |
| Claims paid since 2016 | More than ₹2.06 lakh crore |
| Rabi 2026-27 | Bihar is returning to the scheme from this season |
| Report crop loss | Within 72 hours |
| Helpline | 14447 (Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline) |
| Official portal | Click Here |
Premium vs Cover: A Worked Example
The premium you pay is a small percentage of the sum insured. The sum insured per hectare is fixed for each crop and district, and the portal shows it.
Example: A farmer insures 1 hectare of wheat (Rabi). Suppose the sum insured for wheat in his district is ₹60,000 per hectare (the real figure is on pmfby.gov.in for your district).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sum insured (example) | ₹60,000 |
| Farmer pays 1.5% | ₹900 |
| Same farmer, cotton (5%) on the same sum insured | ₹3,000 |
| If the crop is fully lost (100% loss as assessed) | Claim up to ₹60,000 |
%%{init: {"themeVariables": {"xyChart": {"plotColorPalette": "#43a047"}}}}%%
xychart-beta
title "Farmer premium per Rs 60000 sum insured (Rs)"
x-axis ["Rabi foodgrain 1.5 pct", "Kharif 2 pct", "Commercial 5 pct"]
y-axis "Premium in Rs" 0 --> 3500
bar [900, 1200, 3000]
The actual claim depends on how much loss is assessed (yield data, crop cutting experiments, technology like YES-TECH, or a survey for local damage). It is not always the full sum insured.
What Losses Are Covered?
| Risk | Covered? |
|---|---|
| Crop loss from drought, flood, pests, disease, storms | Yes (area-based, through yield assessment) |
| Prevented sowing because of bad weather | Yes, as per rules |
| Hailstorm, landslide, waterlogging, cloudburst, natural fire on your field | Yes, as local calamity (report in 72 hours) |
| Damage to harvested crop lying in the field (up to 14 days) from cyclone or unseasonal rain | Yes, as post-harvest loss (report in 72 hours) |
| Losses from war, nuclear risk, or deliberate damage | No |
Rabi 2026-27: When to Enrol
- Rabi enrolment usually closes in mid to late December (for most crops, many states fix 31 December; some fix 15 December).
- Each state notifies its own crops, districts and last dates. Check your state’s notification on pmfby.gov.in before you sow.
- Loanee farmers (who take a crop loan) are enrolled through their bank, unless they opt out in writing before the cut-off date.
- Non-loanee farmers apply themselves through a bank, CSC, the portal or the Crop Insurance app.
How to Apply
Option 1: Through Your Bank (Loanee Farmers)
Your bank enrols you automatically when you take a crop loan / KCC. If you don’t want insurance, give a written opt-out to the bank before the cut-off date.
Option 2: Online or at a CSC (Non-loanee Farmers)
- Open the PMFBY portal. To open it directly, Click Here.
- Click Farmer Corner and then Apply for Crop Insurance yourself (or visit a CSC).
- Register with your mobile number, then log in.
- Enter your bank details, land details (khasra / survey number) and the crop sown.
- Upload the land record and sowing certificate if asked.
- Pay the premium online and download the policy receipt.
You can also use the Crop Insurance app on Android.
Crop Lost? The 72-Hour Rule
flowchart TD
A["Crop damaged by hail, flood or rain"] --> B["Report within 72 hours"]
B --> C["Call 14447 or use Crop Insurance app or tell bank or agriculture office"]
C --> D["Surveyor visits field"]
D --> E["Loss assessed"]
E --> F["Claim paid to bank account"]
classDef ask fill:#fff9c4,stroke:#f9a825,color:#4e342e
classDef ok fill:#c8e6c9,stroke:#2e7d32,color:#1b5e20
class A,B,C ask
class D,E,F ok
- Report the loss within 72 hours through the Crop Insurance app, helpline 14447, your bank, the insurance company or the agriculture office.
- Give your policy / application number, the crop, survey number and type of damage.
- Keep photos of the damaged field.
- A surveyor visits and assesses the loss.
- The claim is paid to your bank account.
Tip: Area-wide losses (like a district-wide drought) are assessed through yield data. You don’t need to report them yourself. But local damage (hail, waterlogging) and post-harvest damage must be reported by you within 72 hours.
How to Check Application and Claim Status
- On pmfby.gov.in, open Application Status and enter your receipt number.
- For claims, check the claim status in the Crop Insurance app or call 14447.
- Claims are sent to your bank account. Over ₹55,000 crore has been paid through the Digiclaim system so far.
Common Reasons Farmers Miss Their Claim
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Local damage not reported in 72 hours | Report quickly through the app or 14447 |
| Wrong crop or survey number in the policy | Check your policy receipt before the cut-off date |
| Bank account not linked with Aadhaar | Link Aadhaar and check DBT at your bank |
| Enrolled after the cut-off | Enrol before the state’s last date |
| No receipt kept | Download and keep your policy receipt |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is PM Fasal Bima Yojana?
It is a government crop insurance scheme where farmers pay a small premium and get compensation if crops are lost to natural risks, pests or disease.
How much premium does a farmer pay?
2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi foodgrains and oilseeds, and 5% for commercial and horticulture crops. The government pays the rest.
What is the last date for Rabi 2026-27?
It is set by each state, usually in mid to late December. Check your state’s notification on pmfby.gov.in.
How do I apply for crop insurance online?
On pmfby.gov.in, go to Farmer Corner, register, add land, crop and bank details, and pay the premium. You can also apply at a CSC or bank.
Is PMFBY compulsory for loanee farmers?
No. Loanee farmers are enrolled by the bank, but they can opt out in writing before the cut-off date.
How soon must I report crop damage?
Within 72 hours for local damage like hail or waterlogging, and for post-harvest losses.
What is the PMFBY helpline number?
14447 (Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline).
How can I check my claim status?
Use the Crop Insurance app, call 14447, or check on pmfby.gov.in with your details.
Which states are implementing PMFBY in 2026?
25 states and UTs implemented it in Kharif 2026, as per PIB. West Bengal rejoined, and Bihar returns from Rabi 2026-27.
Does PMFBY cover crops after harvest?
Yes. Crops left to dry in the field up to 14 days after harvest are covered against cyclone and unseasonal rain, if reported within 72 hours.
Sources
- PIB (29 August 2026): PMFBY premium rates, Kharif 2026 enrolment of 241.38 lakh farmers, claims of over ₹2.06 lakh crore, ₹55,000 crore through Digiclaim, Bihar returning from Rabi 2026-27, 14447 helpline
- Official PMFBY portal (pmfby.gov.in): application process and state notifications
- Kshema (updated July 2026): rabi enrolment deadlines are set by each state
Disclaimer
sahiyojana.com is not a government website and is not linked with the Ministry of Agriculture. Sum insured, crops and last dates are fixed by each state, so please confirm on pmfby.gov.in, your bank or agriculture office. sahiyojana.com is completely free and never asks for any money.
Important Links
These important links are collected for you by sahiyojana.com. Click on any link to open the page.
| What You Need | Link |
|---|---|
| Application Form (PMFBY Farmer Corner) | Click Here |
| Official Site (PM Fasal Bima Yojana) | Click Here |
| Ministry of Agriculture | Click Here |
| Kisan Credit Card Guide | Click Here |
| Other Yojana Info | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |
